MID-JULY 2020
Tributes Paid to Former Mayor, Jeff Chantrell TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Mayor of Hinckley & Bosworth and long-serving Bagworth councillor who has died at the age of 92. Councillor Jeff Chantrell, who lived in Thornton, served as a Labour councillor for Bagworth ward for 17 years from 1974 to 1991 and was Mayor of Hinckley & Bosworth twice, from 1977 to 1978 and again from 1987 to 1988. He was keenly involved in town twinning, particularly the town’s link with Herford, not only whilst Mayor but also in recent years. He was also a former Bagworth Parish Councillor. Borough Councillor for Markfield, Stanton and Field Head Andy Furlong paid tribute to the former Mayor. He said: ‘I first encountered Jeff when I moved to the borough over thirty years ago. He was a decent man who both cared for and understood the community he represented. ‘He supported my parliamentary campaigns in 1997 and 2001 introducing me to many people in Thornton and Bagworth, it was clear from the outset that he was well-regarded and he gave me some sound advice. The Labour party in Bosworth is grateful for Jeff ’s public service and sends its condolences to his family.’ Deputy Leader of the Council, David Bill served alongside Councillor Chantrell in the 1970s and 1980s. He added: ‘Jeff was a founder member of the Borough Council. ‘He was a calming and steadying influence at a time of great turmoil following the bringing together of the old urban and rural areas. He was well respected by everyone. My condolences to his family.’
Farewell to the minister IT IS WITH sadness that we have to bid farewell to our minister Rev. Steve Clark and his wife Sue. Steve became minister to Trinity Methodist Church Markfield in September, 2012 and has been responsible for three churches during that time. Glenfield Methodist church, New Parks Methodist church and ourselves here at Markfield. We have enjoyed a wonderful fellowship within the church and some growth, not just in numbers but in faith also. Steve has humbly and with sincere commitment unfolded the Gospel message so that we all have benefited from hearing it. He and Sue have put their heart and soul into their involvement in all three churches and we shall greatly miss them. Because of the unusual time we are living through, ‘COVID-19’, there has not been a service in the church building since March, so we have not had the pleasure of Steve leading our worship there. Whether we are able to hold a farewell service at the end of July is not yet clear. However, technology has taken a new role during the lockdown and provided ways to communicate as a church and be together and hear the message. We are indebted to Steve for his ministry here with us and we all wish him and Sue the very best in their move back to Doncaster for his retirement.
Ian Lay
Letter
Praise for Markfield’s Community Park I’M WRITING to say how valuable the new Markfield Park has proven during recent months of the Coronavirus Lockdown. For those of us who needed to get some exercise each day, the park has been a perfect place to go for a stroll ... followed by a sit down on one of the seats! It has also enabled some family members who live apart to ‘meet’ in a socially distanced way, in pleasant surroundings. So, a big thank you to the local councillors who came up with idea of the park and made it happen. It has been a great success and we appreciate it!
Yvonne Harrison and friends at Mayflower Court, Markfield.
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THE HERALD • MID-JULY 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT Tel: 01530 244069 info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Bagworth, Thornton & StantonUnder-Bardon Neighbourhood Planning Steering Group Report THE MARCH edition of ‘The Herald’ carried news of the arrangements we had put in hand for the parishioners of both parishes to have the opportunity to inspect our draft Neighbourhood Plan and to comment on it if they so wished.
The Herald is a monthly local magazine delivered free to approximately 4,000 homes and businesses in Markfield, Field Head, Stanton under Bardon, Thornton and Bagworth.
The rapid onset of Covid19 enforced the cancellation of these arrangements. The Government has issued temporary orders relating to the administration and progress of Neighbourhood Plans which are at the same, or similar, stage as ours; these orders prevent any effective progress being made before May 2021. The BT&SuB NP Steering Group is, however, seeking to identify ways in which our parishioners might be given the opportunity to inspect the draft Plan within Government guidelines and to comment accordingly. If our efforts prove to be successful we will contact all properties within the three Parishes via a mailshot through your letterbox. The leaflet you receive will give you all the information about how you can participate in the public consultation without breaking any of the Government’s rules relating to Covid19 precautions. This information will also be displayed on the Parish Councils’ noticeboards and on Facebook. Meanwhile, for those of our parishioners who are internet connected, the draft plan can be inspected on our websites: • http://www.spanglefish.com/bagworththorntonandstantonunderbardonnp/ • https://www.bagworthandthornton.org.uk/neighbourhood-plan1.html • http://www.parish-council.com/stantonunderbardon/index.asp?pageid=708374 It is most unfortunate that our steady progress has been impeded by the pandemic but the Steering Group is determined that when lockdown is sufficiently relaxed we will re-double our efforts to bring this important and essential project to a successful conclusion.
Contact Mike Wilkinson with your articles, news items or advertising enquiries.
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SNIPPETS Carers who are over 70 are ‘desperate’ MANY PEOPLE over 70 in this country are becoming desperate. They have been the sole carers for their loved one since lockdown, and they are struggling. In order to cope, large numbers of them have turned to antidepressants. The figures are eyewatering: during the pandemic this Spring, more than 1.4 million people aged over 70 were sole carers for someone who was sick, disabled and often also over 70. A reduction in support from paid carers made the situation even worse. In a poll commissioned by Carers UK, 70 per cent of these unpaid carers said that the negative impact of caring on their own physical and mental health was one of the biggest challenges they faced.
My favourite exercise is a cross between a lunge and a crunch. It’s called Lunch.
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Letter
Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk UNDER NORMAL circumstances, many thousands of people would have by now signed up to take part in an Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk. These hugely popular events bring people together in a variety of stunning locations to unite against dementia, whilst raising vital funds to support those affected by the condition. It would have been my 10th year attending such an event in Nottinghamshire. While it saddens me that we can’t all get together this year, I’m determined with my family to walk my own way in memory of my nana. People with dementia have been the worst hit by the current crisis and need us more than ever – across the UK a quarter of those who have died of coronavirus had dementia. Wherever you are, we can all still help make a difference and I encourage you to sign up either with your household – pets included – friends, or another household in line with current government guidelines. Create your own route, from lapping your garden or local park to revisiting somewhere special. This year’s Santander-sponsored Memory Walk is free to register. Walks can be organised anytime between now and October – or you might choose to do it on 20 September to mark World Alzheimer’s Day. Sign up now at memorywalk.org.uk and with every step, you’ll help change the lives of people affected by dementia.
Vicky McClure
Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador
I used to be addicted to swimming but I’m very proud to say I’ve been dry for six years.
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THE HERALD • MID-JULY 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Message from Dr Luke Evans MP AT LAST, and after what seems far longer than the actual three months we have lived through, we are finally coming out of lockdown. By the time you read this, hopefully, most of you will have been out shopping supporting some of our great independent retailers; many will have enjoyed a pint on a warm summers evening in the beer garden of one our lovely country pubs; others will have been to their favourite restaurant once more. Isn’t it wonderful that we can once again, with appropriate restrictions, go camping, visit a friend’s home or go to church? Being without all of those things even for just three months has certainly made me appreciate each one of them far more. It is easy to take so much in life for granted that to borrow the words of Joni Mitchell ‘You don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone’. I do appreciate that not every aspect of lockdown has been lifted. There are still restrictions on organised sport, indoor gyms and swimming pools, and even singing in church. We know that virus droplets can travel further when you are breathing heavily from exercise or belting out your favourite hymn at the top of your voice, and so it is hugely important those high risk activities only recommence once it is safe to do so. As the R rate drops, cases reduce and track and trace grows, I hope that this is very soon. One thing that we can all be very proud
No, We Can’t Be Friends By Sophie Ranald HE WAS perfect. Denim-blue eyes, a dazzling smile. And he hadn’t sent me a picture of his junk. Which is about as rare, these days, as a Dodo. When Sloane met Myles, everything fell into place. He loved a Martini almost as much as she did, shared her passion for four-cheese pizzas, and made her laugh harder than any episode of Friends. She’d found The One at last and she could finally delete Tinder, forgetting all those waste-of-space men she’d never have to date again. But then she finds out that Myles has a secret. A very big one. The fairytale is over. Her heart is blown to smithereens. Drowning her sorrows in Ben & Jerry’s can only get Sloane so far before she has to decide… Can she learn to love herself more than she loved the love of her life? And what if, after everything, she’s got Myles – and his secret – all wrong? No, We Can’t Be Friends is a brilliantly relatable, hilarious and feel-good novel that every woman with a waste-of-space ex HAS to read!
is that this lifting is only possible because collectively we followed the rules of lockdown. And although we have experienced loss here in Bosworth it is also undoubtedly true that our low transmission rate is a tribute to the efforts of everyone. Thank you very much. Of course none of us can say that there won’t be further local outbreaks of this terrible virus. But I am reassured from every public health expert that I talk to that with preparedness and vigilance we are ready for them. An industry of testing has been built in just over 6 weeks and advances in treatment like the use of Dexamethasone are a real beacon of hope as we learn to live with COVID. So, for now, whilst there continue to be differences in the way we go about our lives let’s get on with enjoying Summer.
Dr Luke Evans MP Member of Parliament for Bosworth House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA w: drlukeevans.org.uk t: constituency: 01455 635741 parliament: 0207 219 4250 m: 07920 619812 twitter: @drlukeevans Instagram: drlukeevans
More WASTE SITES in the county set to re-open LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY Council is finalising plans to re-open the remainder of its recycling and household waste sites which have been closed since mid-March. Six more sites will begin to re-open from later this month, starting at Bottesford on Thursday, 30 July, with time-slots available to book online from Friday, 17 July. Sites at Kibworth and Coalville will re-open on Monday, 3 August and Tuesday, 4 August respectively, with online bookings for both sites available from Friday, 24 July. Lutterworth’s waste site will re-open from Friday, 14 August, the Loughborough site from Saturday, 15 August and Somerby from Sunday, 16 August. Online bookings for all three sites will be made available from Friday, 31 July. All sites require residents to book an appointment in advance to ensure the safety of site users and staff as social distancing is maintained. A booking system, which has been in operation for the sites already open, will help ensure queuing is kept to a minimum, and residents can safely use the sites without delay. Locations at Barwell, Lount, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Mountsorrel, Oadby and Whetstone re-opened in mid-May. These sites will continue to be open for the extended period of seven days a week, with the Shepshed site continuing to open for five days a week, including weekends. These arrangements will be subject to change as more sites re-open. People wishing to visit a waste site are reminded that all information about the types of waste accepted at each site, as well as links to the booking system, are available at www.leicestershire.gov. uk/waste
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The anti-ageing advert that I would like to see is a baby covered in cream saying, ‘Aah, I’ve used too much.’
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National Trust Leicester Association DUE TO THE coronavirus the National Trust has closed all of its 300 historic buildings usually open to the public. It has also closed all of the 500 cottages and flats that it rents out as holiday accommodation. However some 5,300 National Trust properties have remained “open”. These are the 4,500 houses and cottages and 800 farms rented to long term tenants. These tenanted dwellings are often on the Trust’s larger estates or sometimes part of villages that were built for estate workers. The villages having been donated in their entirety to the Trust at the same time as the estate. Many of these individual houses are important in their own right particularly where they show the “vernacular” architecture specific to a local area. Having long term tenants helps to maintain the properties, as lived in houses do not deteriorate as quickly. Of course they also provide an income for the Trust and by being occupied they help support the local economy. The nearest rented properties to Groby are on the
Calke Abbey estate where there are three rented farms and a small number of cottages. However most of the rented houses in Ticknall village are still owned by the Harper Crewe family. On the Penrose Estate in Cornwall a derelict farmhouse was renovated in 2016/17 and then, with a modern interior, was rented out in 2018.
The property is next to woodland, is close to the South West Coastal Path and has views of the sea. The tenants found the property on “Rightmove”. A totally different type of property is The Homewood on Esher Common. It is a large modernist house built in 1938 by architect Patrick Gwynne for his own
occupation and the whole of the front elevation at first floor level is fully glazed. There is also a six acre garden. Unusually, the tenant opens the house one day a week on behalf of the Trust and is also responsible for approximately 35 volunteers who lead conducted tours and tend to the garden. East Bog Farm is a Trust rental farm just downhill from Hadrian’s Wall. The farmhouse is quite old and like many buildings in the area is almost certainly built using stone from Hadrian’s Wall. Even though the farm is old the operation is very modern with electronic ear tags on all the sheep for radio frequency location. Whilst National Trust historic buildings remain closed, many country estates, including Calke Abbey, are now open to visitors, but only by advanced booking. The National Trust Leicester Association has now cancelled all of its activities to at least the end of September. Full details, including Stoneywell weekly updates, are on the Association web site at – www. leicesternt.btck.co.uk
Alan Tyler
Publicity Officer NT Leicester Association
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THE HERALD • MID-JULY 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Thornton Virtual Open Gardens
Enjoy visiting the gardens of Thornton from your own armchair!
~ Pick Up a Bargain! ~
Herald Small Ads • ALUMINIUM / GLASS GREENHOUSE: 75 inches wide by 50 inches deep. Buyer to dismantle. Price: £50.00 Tel: 07867 806474 (Markfield) • ASSORTED 1000 PIECE JIGSAWS (complete). WASGIJ’S (6 in total) Titles include -Barbers and Beehives Drama at the Opera. Other titles upon request. (£9 each). GIBSONS “BOAT FLOAT” and House of Puzzles “ORCHARD FARM” (£6 each) Tel: 07599 270585. (Groby)
WHAT A beautiful village we have! You can find this fifteen-minute video of gardens in Thornton on Youtube, we are sure that you will enjoy your visit. (Just go onto Youtube and search for Thornton Open Gardens). Thank you to all who sent in photos and videos to make this possible. Let’s hope that we will be doing it for real next year!
Lis Muller
• Brown Leather 3-seat and 2-seat SETTEES - both reclining and in good condition. Price: £110. • Plain cream lined CURTAINS - 90” by 72”. Original price: £45. Still in shop packaging and including tie-backs. Price: £15. • Gents M&S navy TROUSERS - 36” waist, 31” inside leg. Unworn. Price: £12. Tel: 01530 230786 (Thornton). • BED SETTEE - as new. Colour: beige, plus six large cushions. Price: £200. Tel: 07807 052567 (Markfield) • Memory foam MATTRESS TOPPER - double, 6 inches deep. As new - cost £170. Price:£60. • TABLE TOP FRIDGE - 20 inches square. Free. Tel: 0116 231 2227 (Groby) • BOYS BABY CLOTHES for sale. All in one 12-18 months. Anorak 18-24 months. Price: £5.00. • BOYS TODDLER CLOTHES BUNDLE 2-3 years: Duggie anorak, Christmas jumper and shirt, (15) vests, 5 pr pants never used, 4 Sweatshirts, 8 Various patterned shorts. Very good condition and clean. Price: £20.00 • 4 x 1000 piece JIGSAW PUZZLES in one box. Christmas theme. Price: £20.00. • 3 Seperate 1000 piece JIGSAW PUZZLES. Price: £8.00 Each. Can supply photo. Tel 07790 734858.(Groby) • BLACK COMPOST BIN, free to good home. Very good condition. Must collect. Tel: 07815 940871 (Groby) • DOUBLE BED with good mattress. White metal frame. Price: £100. • DINING TABLE - 3 feet square. Can be extended. Lightwood 4 high back chairs. Very good condition.Price: £100. Tel: 0116 232 1922 (Groby). • Lady’s multiple gear CYCLE - needs new inner tubes. Price: £80. • Nathan teak NEST OF TABLES - in excellent condition. Price: £20. Tel: 01530 245701 (Markfield)
• TRAILER for sale. For full details, call. Tel: 01530 243469 (Groby) • TABLE FOOTBALL for children – yours for nothing if you want it, as not used anymore. 3ft playing area, folds for vertical storage – collection only. Call Simon on 07941 594 057 (Groby) • Samsung BLU RAY DISC PLAYER will play 3D DVD’s. Price: £25. • Brother COPY/FAX/SCAN MACHINE. Price: £25. Tel: 0777 217 2165 (Groby) • Portable ELECTRIC SEWING MACHINE - JANOME model 1017. New - never used, still in original box. Bargain at £50. Can deliver locally if necessary. • A4 METAL BOX FILE complete with keys and suspended files. Excellent condition. Price: £5. • Antique COBBLERS LAST and heavy FLAT IRONS , 3 different sizes painted black. Price: £12. • Vintage bamboo WALKING CANE with curved handle with silver coloured tip. Price: £15. • Quantity of used FOOLSCAP RING FILES - in good condition. Price: 6 for £3. • COLLECTION OF BOOKS (some new) of Leicester and Leicestershire. Price: for the lot £15. • Vintage Lloyd Loom D-shaped STORAGE BOX/TABLE with glass topped lid, original gold colour in very good condition. Price: £20. Tel: 01530 244388 (Markfield) • Five BR RAILWAY BOOKS - three hardback, 2 softback. Local, Tarka Trail & East Anglia. Good condition. Price: £3.50 each o.n.o. Tel: 07565 219995 • FREE to any disabled reader: LARGE ARMCHAIR, adjustable back, legs and lift to get up. Must collect. Tel: 01530 242025 (Markfield) • FREE - Over 30 assorted GLASS JARS AND LIDS. Tel: 07980 489430 (Groby) • FREE - Gas BBQ - 4 burners +1 side burner. Good clean condition. No gas bottle. Tel: 01530 245323 (Markfield) IF YOU HAVE any household items which you’d like to advertise FREE in the Herald, please SEND DETAILS by post or email - sorry, we can’t take them over the phone. Maximum EIGHT items please. Our postal address is: Herald Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@markfieldherald.co.uk PLEASE ENSURE that you put ‘SMALL ADS’ in the subject line, and INCLUDE YOUR FULL POSTAL ADDRESS (not for publication, just to know where you are).
I’m in a great mood because the other day I entered a competition and I won a year’s supply of Marmite ... one jar.
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Domestic abuse and sexual violence charities share £445k emergency Covid-19 funding
CHARITIES SUPPORTING victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence across Leicestershire have been allocated £445,000 in emergency funding to expand their work throughout the coronavirus. The PCC received funding from the Government in recognition of the soaring demand for support services during the pandemic from victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence and modern slavery. It is part of a £750m fund from the Government to help providers meet the challenges of an increased workload and changes to the way they operate. Following a competitive application process, the PCC has now allocated 21 grants to charities and non-profit organisations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to help them meet the additional costs of expanding their services during Covid-19 and adapt to new social distancing rules. Among the organisations that successfully applied for support is the Adhar Project, currently the only BAME mental health charity in the county, which has been earmarked £70,365 to fund IT/mobile phone equipment, increased counselling hours, mindfulness sessions, clinical supervisions and staff training. Meanwhile, Catch 22 has been allocated £24,430 to support adults and young people impacted by domestic abuse through online counselling and also run a social media marketing campaign to raise awareness of the service. The charity will receive a further grant of £14,509 to deliver the same provision for victims of sexual violence. Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach said: “This funding will help us meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable people within our communities. The health crisis has placed many victims in a desperate position and it has been critical that the support services that exist for their safety continue. “Across Leicestershire, charities and non-profit organisations have been working around the clock to protect victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse and ensure a listening ear and practical help is available whenever and wherever it is needed. Demand is expected to rocket which has placed an extra financial burden on organisations that rely on public funding to keep going. “This funding is desperately needed to manage that demand and offer safe accommodation to all who need it. However, I’m well aware this is an issue that will not go away after October 31, when the funding period ends, and that further support will be necessary in the future.” The funding must be used by October 31 and directly relate to services provided during the pandemic. It can be used to address short-term income disruption, meet essential costs to sustain current activities, fund additional staff to cover employees self-isolating or unable to work during the pandemic and to expand services to cope with increased demand. The full list of grant recipients is available at: https://www.leics.pcc.police.uk/Planning-and-Money/Commissioning/ Current-Funding-Available/Covid-19-Emergency-Funding.aspx#Recipients
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THE HERALD • MID-JULY 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
No Show in Bagworth
SADLY the members of the Bagworth Forward Group (BFG) have taken the decision to cancel the Bagworth Show this year. It would have been the 18th annual show. As the rules regarding physical distancing do not seem to be going away in the near future (despite reductions in the distances) it would have made it difficult to go ahead with it in its usual format. In addition the judges told us that they would have problems, such as tasting the items in the baking section. The Annual Dog Show had also decided to cancel, falling in line with Kennel Club rules. However, we do plan to go ahead with three of the classes and we will award cups to the winners of those classes. These include the best front gardens in Bagworth. There are two sections for this, the Best Large Front Garden and the Best Small Front Garden. All gardens in the village are automatically entered. The judge will have toured the village at different times in the year and this will have helped them to reach a decision. We are expecting great things this year as the lockdown has enabled villagers to put their gardens in order. The third class to be awarded is the Best Allotment in Bagworth. Again, all allotments are automatically entered. The winners of these three classes will be announced at a later date (there is still time to spruce up your front gardens and allotments) as will details regarding the awarding of the trophies. Karen has decided to cancel the Macmillan event this year which would have taken place in September. The reasons for this are similar to the ones concerning the Show. We are all looking forward to getting back to normal! Finally, the planters in the village have received their summer flowers and the general feeling seems to be that they are already looking good. If you live next to a planter, BFG would really appreciate it if you could keep a close eye on them and water them when required so that the whole of the village continues to look attractive. The large rectangular ones have a reservoir, accessed by a small hole in the top of the planter. Thank you in advance for your help in making the village of Bagworth an attractive place in which to live. The members of the group do appreciate the positive comments expressed in social media regarding the displays. The plants are not cheap and a large chunk of the money that we make comes as a result of the effort put into the Bagworth Show by many people. Obviously we will be lacking that cash this year. If anyone has any bright ideas to overcome this problem, we would be delighted to hear from you. Thanks to Wendy for creating the BFG page on Facebook. This is a valuable addition to our efforts to communicate with the village.
Nottingham Building Society to close Groby branch RESIDENTS gave a sigh of relief when the Nottingham Building Society opened in the premises on Ratby Road previously occupied by Santander, even if they only used the ATM. But the future of the ‘hole in the wall’ is in doubt again with the announcement that the Groby branch will be closing along with 8 other branches. If the ATM is removed, the nearest facilities to withdraw cash will be at the Leicester Road Co-op village store and the Post Office. There is also an ATM at the Laundon Way Co-op. The building society and estate agency group is slimming down its branch network, with the Groby office likely to close before the end of the year. The nearest branches will then be in Leicester and Rothley. Chief executive officer of The Nottingham, David Marlow said: “Like many other businesses, as a consequence of the pandemic we have seen consumer behaviour changing significantly with members increasingly looking to manage their finances through digital channels, which has become essential for some. Post-pandemic we don’t anticipate that every member will revert back to using branches as they did before. In addition to this, we know that younger customers favour a digital solution.” Although there will not be roles for everyone impacted the Nottingham will offer job support packages where people leave the business.
Norman Griffiths
Improve your memory by doing unforgettable things.
Catholic Church Of St Wilfrid Of York
53 London Road, Coalville, LE67 3JB Due to covid-19, all services are cancelled until further notice. • Just a reminder, Fr. Gabriel is celebrating mass via Zoom app each weekday at 10am and every Sunday at 10.00am. Please feel free to join in. If you would like the code to join, please email susantompkin@yahoo.co.uk. • When private worship is arranged at St Wilfrid’s, we will let you know. • Fr Gabriel is available if a priest is needed. • Please let the Parish know if you, or anyone you know, needs help of any kind. Please call the presbytery and we will do what we can to help. Keep safe and well. • The parish website below contains links to the live streaming of Masses and devotions as well as links to prayer and scripture resources. Parish Contact Parish Priest: Fr Gabriel Offor – 01530 832098 www.stwilfspriest@ gmail.com Parish Website: www. stwilfscoalville.blogspot.co.uk School Details St Clare’s RC Primary School, Coalville: 01530 837747 www.stclares.leics.sch.uk De Lisle RC College, Loughborough: 01509 268739 www.delisle.leics.sch.uk Markfield Masses Congregational Church Hall, Main Street, Markfield (next to the Chinese takeaway) Wednesday,16 September at 7 pm if the Covid-19 restrictions allow. Village Contact: Margaret on 01530 243292
For Advertising Rates & Publication Dates , visit: www.markfieldherald.co.uk Changes to childcare funding eligibility during pandemic
Apply now for childcare funding for two and three year-olds WORKING PARENTS of three and four year-olds are encouraged to apply now for 30 hours funded childcare for the autumn term. Parents and carers should also be aware that changes have been made to the eligibility criteria for tax-free childcare and 30 hours free childcare during the coronavirus pandemic. You may still be able to claim if you are on furlough, not able to work or are working less, are self-employed or are a critical worker. You can check your eligibility, and apply, here (http://www. childcarechoices.gov.uk/) Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet member for children and families said: “It is important to check your eligibility as there have been recent changes which may affect those families that have been impacted by coronavirus. “We would really like this additional funded childcare to benefit as many parents across Leicestershire as possible. “If parents have not applied already, I would urge them to do so immediately and before the application deadline of 31st August.” Parents must have an ‘individual’ government gateway account set up ready. Once the application is made, you can check progress in your account. To access the 30 hours funded childcare, you will receive an eligibility code (DERN) which you can take to your childcare provider along with your national insurance number, child’s name and date of birth so the code can be validated. Parents can use an online search tool to find a childcare provider. (https:// www.leicestershire.gov.uk/find-a-childcare-provider) Individual gateway accounts can be set up or accessed at http://www. gateway.gov.uk/ For further help with an individual application please contact HMRC on 0300 123 4097.
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Corona What? I’M SURE many of us, eating our Christmas dinner, would have blurted out “corona what” if Coronavirus had been mentioned. However 7 months is a long time and our lives have been drastically changed. Whether being part of lock down for 3 months, shielding or one of the many key workers who keep our country safe and well. So COVID 19, Coronavirus, call it what you will, has changed many people’s thoughts on what is precious. In the past many people may have believed that the most important things were their car, their job, their money - all kinds of material things - but when the country went on lock down the focus on some of these may have changed. It was very difficult to drive a car around and where could we go anyway as everything was closed, so the car stood on your drive attracting dust. Your job wasn’t perfect anymore maybe you had to work from home or maybe you have been furloughed and your job isn’t as perfect as you remember or maybe you miss your job. What about money? Yes its handy to have but it can’t buy good health as Boris Johnson showed being a wealthy and prominent person doesn’t prevent you from catching the virus. The most important thing I believe is life. Over the past few months we have seen the country concentrate fully on the precious commodity of life, whether it’s been the need to social distance, wash your hands singing happy birthday twice or even the lock down, building of temporary hospitals, creation of new ventilators or many more things to ensure as many people as possible survive the virus. The government have poured out billions of pounds to ensure that not only people can retain their jobs through this period but support those who can’t help themselves, like those who are homeless. Our whole society has come to protect life and it just shows what a precious thing it is. Nearly two thousand years ago Jesus came on this earth, sent by God, to protect the most precious thing he had created, men and women. He sent Jesus to live among his people, to get to know them and to teach them how they should live and protect one another. He eventually died on a cross taking all the wrong things we do and gave his life as a sacrifice. Three days later he came back to life and now is in heaven with God after conquering death. God loves us all so much that he wants us to know him personally, he wants to help us through life and try and make sense of some of the big questions we have.
Want to find out more? Contact us or your local church AT CROSS HILLS at the moment you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your sofa to go to church, let us come to you through your computer, tablet of mobile. Contact Hazel on 01530 230469, Glynis & David on 01530 230272, Garry on 07816 616189 or me on 01530 231901 to find out how to join. We would love to see you and have a chat. Keep safe and remember your life is priceless.
Robert Holmes
On behalf of Cross Hills Baptist Church
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Had too much wine last night. have no idea how I got home from the sofa.
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THE HERALD • MID-JULY 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Having a competent Neighbourhood Plan is now becoming crucial Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in The Herald
IN THE LAST few years I have in the Herald written a great deal about my concerns regarding the increasing pressure that exists to ‘Build, Build and Build!’ in the surrounding countryside. Not just the countryside around Markfield and Stanton but the countryside surrounding many communities throughout this land. It is as if the only solution to the problems we face comes in the form of yet more development regardless of consequence. Recent utterances suggest that what few protections exist for communities will all but disappear, if further changes are imposed by Government in the form of yet another overhaul of planning legislation. Heaven knows it’s easy enough today for developers to get their way, such that further assistance is largely unnecessary. In response to a number of these challenges, and to make use of the one effective tool a community can pick up, a Neighbourhood Planning Group was established. One was set up in Markfield, and a separate one, in Stanton which was linked in with the villages of Thornton and Bagworth. These groups were established to find ways to ascertain what the housing needs of the local community were and to identify the most suitable area for these needs to be met. This was not a straightforward task and I have summarised simply their main objectives, but it is way more complex than that and a great deal of work was carried by the respective groups made up of local residents, to ensure the plans would be robust and defendable should it come to that. I commend the volunteers on both groups for the work and effort put in. The big win for having an agreed Neighbourhood Plan in place, is that it would give the community some control and protection over the future trajectory and size of growth. A good example of this comes in the form of the lower requirement for housing land supply. Currently Hinckley and Bosworth does not have a 5 year land supply in place and is not likely to have one in place for a good while yet. This means it is very hard to turn down housing applications and if you succeed you simply lose when it goes to appeal with the Secretary of State. This
has happened on 3 of the 4 large housing developments during my 25 years on the Borough Council. The 3 of 4 have ended up being granted permission on appeal having been first rejected by the Borough Council. Two of these were in Stanton and one (the current Jelson estate) in Markfield. The fourth - also in Stanton - was an application this time supported by the local community and the Parish Council, and it helped deliver the new community hall which is a key asset to the village. It was given permission by the Borough Council. Having a competent and agreed neighbourhood plan means that that unless the Borough Council has a position below a 3 year housing land supply you do not have to presume to grant planning permission, and this should be supported at any planning appeal. The Borough Council does have more than a 3 year land supply and is unlikely to drop below that target. I mention the word competent because this is crucial. It would be easy to develop a neighbourhood plan that said no new housing was required. Unfortunately today, this would not be judged competent (and therefore be of no use) and this has been tested already in Burbage just outside Hinckley and elsewhere across the country. In Burbage the local neighbourhood plan was called in by the planning inspector and as a result revisions have had to be made. This event has actually helped the development of the specific plan at Markfield because in the inspector’s ruling, he set out what would pass as competent, and what housing growth a community like Markfield should look to cater for up to 2036. (This being the time frame, for the developing Hinckley and Bosworth local plan.) The formula, suggested as acceptable by the Government’s own inspector, takes the future housing growth projections provided by the Government for Hinckley and Bosworth and allocates them to communities based on the existing size of that local community. Essentially you get a percentage of the total Borough allocation. For Markfield this is 4.2% of the total housing need because within HBBC we have 4.2% of the existing dwellings. Some of that need has already been met through the existing Jelson development and other smaller developments such as we have seen on Ashby
Road and at the Flying Horse roundabout. As it turns out other competent ways of allocating future housing growth would likely be less favourable to settlements like Markfield in particular, so this methodology was preferred by the neighbourhood planning group.
What does it mean? What does all this mean you may ask? Well what it means, is that subject to the Neighbourhood Plan getting through its remaining stages (and this is by no means certain and will require a local ballot of all residents next May) the plan for Markfield will allocate land to accommodate housing growth for 241 units of accommodation. This should be sufficient to meet the housing needs for Markfield. You may be shocked at that figure and it is higher than I had in mind as little as a year ago, but I also know it could be substantially much worse than that, if we don’t get the plan sorted. We already know of Jelsons’ interest in a large swathe of land south of London Road and Forest Road. They had already expressed an intention in the public domain to bring forward an application for some 450 new homes on the land they own. In addition we now have two concrete proposals coming forward for some 150 homes on land south of Ashby Road and on the corner of Ratby Lane/Markfield Lane. We also know of substantial developer interest on other parcels of land off Ratby Lane which would stretch to as many as 200 homes. That is just what we know today, and in the current climate which is encouraging speculative development proposals, it could yet be more. This prompted wider discussions, including with planning officers at Hinckley and Bosworth and the local neighbourhood plan group’s own consultant. Through these conversations it was clear that one site was more favourable than others and that this specific site would be the hardest to defend at any planning committee or appeal to an inspector, if it was not chosen as the preferred housing site. This preferred site sits within the proposed Jelson site south of the existing new Jelson estate and below Birchfield and Croftway. A clear advantage in selecting this site is that it would also enable conversation with Jelsons to begin in an attempt to mitigate the
“I appreciate that for some residents, the proposals made by the Neighbourhood Planning Group and supported by the Markfield Parish Council will be objectionable and should be opposed.” proposal and limit the harm it might cause. The first discussion held was to see if Jelson would step back from bringing forward its application for 450 homes that it had already been working on. The second was to see if we could limit the use of Croftway as the main point of access to the future development and instead get them to consider more suitable alternatives. On both counts Jelsons have so far indicated a willingness to respect the work of the neighbourhood planning group’s conclusions and to consider bringing forward an application for 241 houses not the 450 as they originally proposed. They have also indicated a willingness to bring forward alternative access solutions to avoid the access route being via Croftway. Alongside those two points they have also recognised that substantial contributions will be required to alleviate the pressure on local services like the schools and the GP surgery. An improved cross country route to South Charnwood has also been flagged as a potential longer term gain. We will not see the certainty of this until they bring forward their planning application but I am now clear that following conversations at Hinckley they are so far being true to their word. I appreciate that for some residents, the proposals made by the Neighbourhood Planning Group and supported by the Markfield Parish Council will be objectionable and should be opposed. I cannot however agree and can see no advantage to not progressing the work undertaken thus far to a positive conclusion. To put it bluntly, you can either have 800 plus homes or you can attempt
In my career as a lumberjack, I cut down exactly 82,546 trees. I know, because I kept a log.W
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to manage it with a well worked plan for 241 that will be competent and defendable. Without this work I am certain that the 450 homes proposal of Jelsons alongside the rest, would likely end up going through, either at the Borough Council or through an appeal to the Secretary of State. We should all be clear, the Government has given a clear green light to developers, and the Borough Council does not have a 5 years land supply - and is not likely to have one anytime soon. Therefore the only hope we have as a community, is to back the Neighbourhood Plan solution which I believe is sound and competent. It has been drafted by local residents in consultation with the community. It will again
soon have to be consulted on and in May of next year be subject to a referendum. In the meantime, providing we can get the plan to the required pre-referendum stage, it should give us the necessary protections to hopefully resist the other speculative developments that we know of today, or may likely be attempted. The draft neighbourhood for Markfield plan is currently with the Borough Council as they wait back for responses from some statutory bodies. When this is complete the draft plan will go out to public consultation and you will be able to view it and comment on it. The timing to get all this completed is very tight but I hope it is achievable. I accept that nothing in the process is certain or guaranteed and we may yet fall at one of the various hurdles ahead, but at least we have a fighting chance of shaping the community’s destiny in a positive way instead of being bulldozed by developers.
Drivers are being urged to book an MOT test after a change to the extension date AT THE beginning of the UK coronavirus lockdown, MOT tests were given a temporary six month extension. But this week, roads minister Baroness Vere announced that MOT tests will be mandatory in England, Wales and Scotlands from the beginning of August. She said: “As people return to our roads, it is vital that motorists are able to keep their vehicles safe. That’s why as restrictions are eased, from 1 August MOT testing will again become mandatory. “Garages across the country are open and I urge drivers who are due for their MOT to book a test as soon they can.” The change means that cars, vans and motorcycles with an MOT due between March 30, 2020 and July 31, 2020 will be extended for six months. Your rights if you decide to book a holiday abroad this summer Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has advised on the change, warning drivers they may need to act soon He said: “MOT tests to restart on August 1. If you have an MOT due on or after that you must get the test done. “However if your MOT is due before hand, you get six months added to the deadline. E.g. due on July you 15 need to get it done by January 15.”
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Somebody please give 2020 a Snickers Bar.
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THE HERALD • MID-JULY 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
County Councillor’s Report from Peter Bedford Local MP visit to Markfield Businesses
Hello everyone, I hope that you are keeping well.
Leicester Lockdown As we would have all seen the Government has implemented a lockdown zone for Leicester City, including some urban areas within the County. Whilst this boundary does not include any villages from the Hinckley & Bosworth area many residents will work or have friends and family that live within this zone: The County Council has developed a postcode checker which can be found online: https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/ coronavirus-covid-19/ Within this boundary, restrictions will be put in place pending a review from 18 July. This means: • non-essential shops that reopened on 15th June have been asked to close from 30th June until further notice; • bars, restaurants and hairdressers remain closed; • schools close from Thursday 2nd July, except to vulnerable children and children of key workers and they will not reopen until next term; • the relaxation of shielding measures due on 6th July will not now take place in Leicester; • single-adult households (those who live alone or with dependent children only) can still form a support bubble with one other household; • people are still able to meet in a group of up to 6 and only outdoors, provided strict social distancing is followed; • people in Leicester are recommended to stay at home as much as they can and are advised against all but essential travel to, from and within Leicester. The County Council continues to work closely with the City Council,
On Saturday 27th June I was pleased to be able to show our new Member of Parliament, Dr Luke Evans, around Markfield – where we spoke with a number of businesses about the support that they have received, or are in need of, as a result of Covid19. The response was very positive with local businesses upbeat about rebuilding after the initial shock of the ‘lockdown’.
Thornton Reservoir Parking
Visiting Brewster’s Cafe in Markfield with Dr Luke Evans MP
Public Health England and the Government on this issue; with further advice published online: https://www.gov.uk/government/ news/
Planning matters Planning continues to be a contentious issue across the area with a number of applications in flight or pending. Whilst planning is a matter for HBBC, as the Local Planning Authority, I continue to have regularly discussions with LCC Highways to ensure robust scrutiny of applications ahead of consideration by the Planning Committee. I am keen to work with Parish Councils to ensure that any development in the Parish is sustainable and reflects the needs of local people than the ambitions of developers.
Highways Parish and Communities Fund The County Council have been in touch with the 4 Parishes in the Division about the new Highways Parish & Community Fund to assist
with social distancing and active travel. Each Parish in the Division is entitled to a £5,000 grant and I have urged Parishes to make full use of this additional funding. If you have any suggestions on how this money should be spent please do contact your local Parish Council.
Noise Nuisance from Spa Vale Shooting Ground I have had correspondence and discussions with a number of residents about the noise nuisance from Spa Vale Shooting Ground (which technically falls within Stanton Parish). Having discussed this matter with the owner of the shooting ground, I have also raised this with Environmental Health. At present, under current rules, the owner intends to utilise the 28 days per year that is permitted; however Environmental Health have spoken with him and are monitoring the situation. If noise levels are found to be in breach of Environmental Standards I would expect this to be vigorously enforced.
Thornton Reservoir is one of the most visited natural attractions in Leicestershire, but with this comes a number of problems for local residents. Back in February I chaired a public meeting to bring together all the interested stakeholders in finding a solution to this problem. During the past month I have had a number of follow up meetings with Severn Trent, LCC Highways, Parish Councillors and local residents on the long-standing issue. I would like to commend the work of local residents, particularly Helen and Sheryl, who have been instrumental in raising the profile of this issue with visitors to Thornton. A number of activities are in flight to help alleviate the parking pressures including exploring; • the introduction of double yellow lines on the reservoir dam, • double yellow lines on the corner of Reservoir Road and Main Street, • with the Parish Council, the hiring of a parking enforcement officer, and • Severn Trent exploring the viability of additional parking at land adjacent to the reservoir. It is vitally important that where illegal parking occurs the police
I wish my wife was one of those government agents who aren’t allowed to talk about what they did at work all day.
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Email: peter.bedford@leics.gov.uk or phone: 01455 824733 or www.facebook.com/peterbedfordmdt
Assessing the parking issues at Thornton Reservoir enforce, and I have made these expectations clear to Leicestershire Police.
Equality In previous articles I have kept my updates to purely local matters, but I thought it would be remiss of me not to give my thoughts on the recent demonstrations by the political movement ‘Black Lives Matter’. Growing up as someone of mixed race (British/India) I have of course experienced racism over the years. From being calling a “paki” or “nigger” to whisperings that “his face wouldn’t fit in this area” when seeking selection as a political candidate. However, in my experience, these do not demonstrate systemic racism in our country; but rather the backward attitudes of a very small minority. The hurdles in my life have come far more from the fact that growing up, in a single parent family, I didn’t have the means to do the things that many of my peers took for granted: keeping the electricity meter running, learning to drive, or going on holiday. The REAL
problem in the UK, that I hope this Government will continue to focus on, is that of creating opportunities for all. We are all appalled by the senseless killing of George Floyd in the United States, but to say that the UK is a racist country is extremely damaging and misleading. In my opinion the United Kingdom is one of the most open, diverse and tolerant Nations of the World and we should take pride in this. I continue to wish you and your families well; and please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything you need. Best wishes,
Peter County Councillor for Markfield, Desford, Bagworth, Thornton, Botcheston, and Stanton under Bardon E: peter.bedford@leics.gov.uk or T: 01455 824733 www.facebook.com/ peterbedfordmdt
If you’re going to a Stones concert, be wary of the bad antacid that’s been being passed around.
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THE HERALD • MID-JULY 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Borough Councillors’ Report Chris Boothby & Ozzy O’Shea
Beech Drive Application 20 / 00511 / FUL MOST OF YOU will know that Thornton is facing a repeat application on land of Beech Drive by Hallam’s for 49 dwellings. With regard to the determination of the application and it’s consideration by the Planning Committee, this will depend on a number of factors such as consultation responses, officer recommendation or call-in by Ward Members. At present, the application is still out for consultation until August 7th 2020. Residents will of course remember that this site was subject to an application in April 2016 for up to 48 dwellings which was refused by the then Planning Committee at HBBC for the following reason. The development by virtue of its adverse impact upon the countryside and not being in accordance with the Council’s aspirations for development as set out within the Local Plan would be contrary to Policies NE5 and RES5 of the HBBC Local Plan. The subsequent appeal was withdrawn in February 2017. As your Borough Councillors, both Ozzy and Chris will be guided by resident’s wishes and opinions. Chris however, being a member of said Planning Committee will listen to all views but will keep an open mind when this application comes to Committee.
Cllr Chris Boothby Tel: 0116 216 1461 or 07880 711222. Email chris.boothby@hotmail.com
with Chris becoming Hub Manager only because of Ozzy having to isolate and Ed did the same but working in the background such as Ozzy helping to secure a LCC Communities Grant to help a special lady. We want to take this time to thank Helen Crouch of Bagworth who has gone the extra mile and beyond to help the 3 villages that she looks after as Chris’s co-ordinator. Apart from the 3 main services that the Response Team deliver, Helen has brought a market stall to Bagworth that benefits local residents despite
Cllr Ozzy O’shea Tel 0116 2394336 or 07808 585825 Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com some objection plus now a drive through library. Also, we both would like to thank local residents that have adhered to the Government’s Guidelines to keep us all safe. Thank you all. Once again, we take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support and remember we are only a phone call away. Regards
Chris & Ozzy Working for you
Letter RE-OPENING SOON! PLEASE STAY SAFE Jan & Ben
Coronavirus Community Response Team Central Hub for the Northern Parishes Whilst we co - founded this on March 16th , along with the Rev Dr Ed Bampton, we set up this Response Team as a Central Hub to cover 5 villages, Ratby, Groby, Bagworth, Thornton and Stanton under Bardon. Then later made help available to Markfield and Glenfield working with other support groups such as Dawn and Ron Grantham at the Markfield Community centre. Again, whilst we never did this as Councillors but as Volunteers
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Markfield Congregational Church EARLIER TODAY two of the members of our church were in the building preparing for a funeral. An elderly gentleman appeared at the door and asked if he could come in. He was desperate to be in a church and wanted to reach out to God. This man has faced some adversity in the past and is now struggling with lockdown. I wonder how many other people who are reading these words have a similar tale -problems in the past, struggling with lockdown and wanting to reach out to God? Over the last few weeks there has been a national increase in the number of people reaching out to the church for comfort and solace. Our buildings may be closed for public worship but the church is still open and God is always accessible in prayer – give it a try. If anyone feels a need to talk or for prayer, please call Rev Joy Langford on 01530 451549 or 07742 631290 Angela Berry on 07971 254165. God bless you.
Rev Joy Langford
The price of my gym membership is just the fine I pay for never working out.
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Canine Partner Laurel ‘saved my life’ says Miriam PARTNERSHIP STUDY Miriam Bentley of Thringstone was partnered with canine partner Laurel in March 2018. This is her story:
I
WAS A FIT, healthy individual running
a houseLaurel and being a mum whilst also tley and
being very career driven. I ran most days to wind down from work, raced at /05/1976 weekends and loved my life.
I had noticed when running that my ringstone, Leicestershire hip was causing painissues and so I saw g paralysis and me disc in a consultant who later operated on my hip wer spine - shaving off some bone that was causing : Laurel, black internal tearingLabrador of the joint. Unfortunately
despite walking down to theatre I never walked unaided again. An error during tnered with canine partner Laurel surgery left me with permanent paralysis of Thismy isright herleg. story: I spent months in bed, depressed and heart broken.
I couldn’t do my job anymore, my career was over, hy individual running a house and and I couldn’t even be a mum. ilst also very considered career driven. I ran most days to wind down from work, Severalbeing times I seriously again recently with being at home hundreds of people and my career not going on. What was the ds and loved my life. more - she is a help passing tools, is back on track and I owe it all to point? I was useless and just made everyone’s life harder as they had to look after me. Enter Canine Partners. One of my sons loves dogs and so we take him to Crufts annually as a birthday treat. At Crufts I saw Canine Partners and I had a chat to them assuming I wasn’t disabled enough. We talked about what the dogs can do and if that would be of help to me. The key things I remember were picking up items I drop (which was a huge thing for me, many tantrums have been thrown over this!) and helping to undress you. For someone as fiercely independent as me, I thought that not having to ask my partner or children to help with this would be brilliant and the most important was bringing me the phone when I fall - which I do, a lot! After 18 months, I received a call from one of the advanced trainers to say I had a potential match. We met and luckily I was partnered with the most beautiful Labrador ever (I know I’m biased)! Over the next couple of years, with the help of aftercare, Laurel and I have developed an unbreakable bond. Almost six years since believing my life was over, it most certainly isn’t! Laurel and I are back working, we have a Masters Degree and are working towards our PhD (I know I say ‘we’ but I couldn’t do it without her)! We work in Equality and Community Safety, we have spoken at conferences in London, Milton Keynes, Leicestershire and Wales about topics such as Hate Crime reduction, Counter Terrorism and Safeguarding. We have delivered Equality & Diversity training to
Laurel. Don’t get me wrong though I still have really dark days, days when the pain is too much and I’m dropping everything I try and hold, these used to be my worst days but Laurel’s favourite game is picking up dropped items and giving them to me so I know my dark days are probably her favourite and that knowledge alone makes them less dark! I am currently self-isolating, my condition isn’t likely to be adversely effected by coronavirus (COVID-19) but my immune system is not the best. Lockdown has been extremely challenging, especially with children in the house who should have been taking exams. I am an essential worker for my local council, and as such have been working long hours from home. I am dealing everyday with vulnerable people, children whose parents are struggling to feed them, vulnerable adults who are scared of dying alone, or have disabilities that make it hard for them to manage in this new situation. It’s an emotional job at the best of times but currently at times it feels overwhelming. Laurel has always been a phenomenal emotional support for me and now more than ever she is my one constant. Her routine keeps me grounded and her cuddles drain negativity and worry from me. She is still there every day beside me, helping me out of bed, to get dressed, helping around the house and also passing me notebooks and pens when I need them. I have also started gardening
but doesn’t distinguish between a plant I like and a weed, so she no longer helps with the digging! Joking aside, I don’t actually know where I’d be right now without her. She knows when I get sad or anxious and has started pushing her head under my arm to force me to cuddle her. I don’t know where she has picked that up from as it wasn’t taught by Canine Partners, but it makes me switch my head from worrying thoughts to her and that is worth so much right now. She is so in tune with me. I used to say she was my shadow, but during this crisis she is more a physical part of me. It’s easy to tell you the impact Laurel has had on my life but it has also had a massive impact on my family; my partner is a partner again and not a carer, my children have a mum back who can take them drinks when they are ill and tidy up after them (Laurel does the lions share of this bit). The impact is summed up nicely in one comment from my eldest: ‘Mum I’m glad you have Laurel to help you because I don’t need to worry about you when I’m at school anymore.’ I’m not ashamed to say that Canine Partners saved my life. The difference these dogs make is unquantifiable; they have changed my life, my partner’s life and my children’s life. They have enabled me to get back to a career where I make a difference to the lives of others so the knock on effect is massive. They have enabled me to get my independence back and my confidence.
en running that my hip was causing me pain and so I saw a consultant ed on my hip - shaving off some bone that was causing internal tearing of nately despite walking down to theatre I never walked unaided again. An gery left me with permanent paralysis of my right leg.
n bed, depressed and heart broken. I couldn’t do my job anymore, my , and I couldn’t even be a mum. Several times I seriously considered not was the point? I was useless and just made everyone’s life harder as they me.
rtners. One of my sons loves dogs and so we take him to Crufts annually at. At Crufts I saw Canine Partners and I had a chat to them assuming I enough. We talked about what the dogs can do and if that would be of key things I remember were picking up items I drop (which was a huge ny tantrums have been thrown over this!) and helping to undress you. For cely independent as me, I thought that not having to ask my partner or with this would be brilliant and the most important was bringing me the l - which I do, a lot!
, I received a call from one of the advanced trainers to say I had a potential and luckily I was partnered with the most beautiful Labrador ever (I know r the next couple of years, with the help of aftercare, Laurel and I have nbreakable bond.
since believing my life was over, it most certainly isn’t! Laurel and I are e have a Masters Degree and are working towards our PhD (I know I say ’t do it without her)! We work in Equality and Community Safety, we have rences in London, Milton Keynes, Leicestershire and Wales about topics ime reduction, Counter Terrorism and Safeguarding. We have delivered
Impress them on your first date by showing up in a shirt with their face on it.
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THE HERALD • MID-JULY 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Memories of Bagworth School An Interview with Derrick Holmes in February 2007
I STARTED at school at Christmas 1935, but I wasn’t 5 until January 1936. Me and Peter Hayward were brought up side by side. He was born November 5 and he was also going to start. Mam let me start when Mrs Mills was a teacher. She filled in for the staff when they went sick. The first teacher, Mrs Partridge, was a lovely old lady. Then in the second class it was Miss Hounam, later Mrs Holmes. In the third class was Mrs Baxter from Ellistown, who was an amateur singer. She went out singing at Church fetes and such like. She was followed in Class Three by Miss Cottrell. Of course, in the top class was ‘Daddy’ Heath. They used to split classes into sections, decided by age. While I was in Mrs Cottrell’s class war broke out. That changed a lot of things. We started with gas mask drill. The mask came in a cardboard box, later put in a tin, slung over your shoulder. We used to have gas mask training. When you entered your classroom, you placed your gas mask on a table. In the top class the Headmaster had got two desks with a table between them. You had to know where your personal mask was, all lined up in the order of the desks. WHEN YOU got to the third class, Mrs Cottrell’s, the girls from Mr Heath’s class, on Friday afternoons, used to go down into Miss Cottrell’s class to learn needlework. The boys went into the top class for gardening. If it was raining, we had gardening books to study. Mr Heath was very strict. It was all mixed classes unless we split up on Fridays. When the younger boys went up to do gardening, they worked on the plots of the older boys. Nev Clamp came up as my understudy. Each lad had to make their own plot numbers. My plot is still there as when I’d got it at school. It was the schoolhouse lawn, Plot 5. On the lawn was a big stone top over a well, where the garden roller was parked. It was big and heavy. On one occasion, all of a sudden I heard this squealing. Mr Heath had caught Nev Clamp swinging on the handle of the roller. Mr Heath got a six foot bean cane. He thrashed Nev unmercifully. He ran him right round the playground, swipe, swipe, swipe! Nev had terrible wails on him. His dad went up to see Mr Heath but I don’t know what transpired. Nev ran straight out of the gate in the playground. He was squealing blue murder! I was afraid of ‘Daddy’ Heath, as were all of the children. You’d always got to keep an eye on him. WATER PIPES were installed in Bagworth in about 1941. I remember, along with other groups of boys and girls, watching fascinated as the plumbers joined the pipes with lead, melted by blowlamps. All of the taps were outside. MY WIFE started as caretaker at school while our children were there. We’d got five children then, four were at Bagworth School. When she first started I went into the old classroom. I looked straight down the room at the cupboard and there was the dent. The cupboard door panel was broken. This was caused by a flying gas mask tin when Mr Heath threw it at David Farmer. He was talking and taking no notice when Mr Heath threw one of these tins. Fortunately, David
ducked and the tin hit the plywood door and the dent was still there. I don’t know how Mr Heath got away with such violence. Miners’ lads were at the bottom of the pecking order as far as he was concerned. Nearly all of the pupils were then miners’ children. However, those who were not had different treatment, especially if your dad had influence in the village. On the other hand, he did encourage the clever children in their education, which was one of his good points. THERE WAS only one bully at Bagworth School and that was ‘Daddy’ Heath. Ask anyone who had to endure his rule of terror. There was a rumour going around that he should not have been in charge of children at all. He blacked my eye once, you know. It was all over a pounds, shillings and pence addition sum. He’d written the sums on the board and you had to copy them in your school book. Then he’d start going through the answers with you. I can remember it as if it was yesterday. It was the one time I thought, ‘I’ve got you this time’. I’d added up the farthings and halfpennies column which carried over and came to nought. Mr Heath said that I’d got it wrong, I said that I’d got it right. He said, ‘You didn’t’. I said, ‘I got the same answer as you’. He said, ‘Come out’. From his desk he said, ‘You’ve got it wrong’. I said, ‘Well, I’ve got nothing down’. ‘How many times have I told you to write down two dashes, not zeros?’ he said. And he hit me on the back of my head, and my eye caught on the corner of his desk. Well, you never saw anything like it! I went home and sat down for dinner. My dad was still in his pit black. ‘Been fighting, then?’ he asked. ‘No, dad’, I replied. After a lot of further questioning he said, ‘Now I’m going to ask you once again, have you been fighting?’. I said again, ‘No, dad’. ‘Well, I want to know how you did it, else you are going to be hit’, he said. I finally admitted, ‘Mr Heath did it’. ‘He’s what?’ he said, and on went his jacket and up the road
he went and knocked on the door. My dad said, ‘What’s this then?’. Mr Heath said, ‘I haven’t done that’. Dad said, ‘Tell him how he done it, Derrick’ and I told him how he done it. The next day, Mr Heath came up and asked, ‘How’s your eye, son?’. So it had been on his mind. He could have blinded me. SIX WEEKS AFTER that I had to go to the Leicester Royal Infirmary with an abscess in my ear. My Aunt Flo said, ‘You ought to have had him over that’. If that happened today he would have been in serious trouble. ALL OF THE gardening implements had got Leicestershire County Council on them. The schoolmaster at the time was Mr Don Moss. He said, ‘Were you a pupil at this school, then?’. He was looking at the old equipment in the old brick building. Unbelievably, after all those years I salvaged my old Dutch hoe. It was the only thing not rotted. When I was at school, you never took a dirty fork or spade back, or Heath would have had you in a flash. Gardening finished with Heath’s reign. He was a beekeeper. I said to Moss, ‘I bet I used this hoe more than anyone’. MRS COTTRELL asked me to call at Whitmore’s shop for a ‘Woman’s Own’. I used to come down to Grandma’s in Cabbage Row. We always had some sort of milk pudding, nothing else. I was expected to buy the 4d magazine and take it back after dinner with the change. A chap, Harry Ball had the dangerous habit of going in the field with the bull. Well, this day I dropped the 6d and before I could move Harry put his foot on it and picked it up. I was terrified and took off to Grandma’s without the money. When I told them, she said to Granddad, ‘Give him 6d’. ‘Here you are’, he said. 6d was a lot of money in those days. So I was able to buy the magazine as usual. Later, Grandma saw Mrs Ball in the Co-op and got her 6d back. I WAS 10 when war broke out. I was in Mrs Cottrell’s class. She encouraged us to sing patriotic songs like ‘Run, Rabbit, Run’. She used to play the piano. We also sang, ‘We’re Going to Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line’. CARETAKERS in my day were Mr Arthur Holyoake and Mr Harry Bancroft. They lived at the bottom of School Hill in two little cottages, which are still there. There were big fireplaces in the classrooms. In cold, snowy weather, Mr Holyoake used to put on huge rakers of coal. It was lovely. In the war all of the windows had criss-cross taping over them to stop flying glass. We had no air raid shelters. Gas mask training was regular. We had to sit at our desks wearing them. The sirens would go off in short blasts. The all clear was one long blast. As soon as the sirens went we had to line up outside and stand still. When we put on our gas masks they used to feel if we had put them on correctly, with no folds in the rubber. We had to run our fingers round to check for gaps where gas could leak in. In about 1941 we had to have a green extension taped on the bottom to cope with a different gas. The war dominated our school life. It wasn’t till after the war that Bagworth got its football back.
I may not be the sexiest man alive but I’m definitely in the top three billion.
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COACH AND HORSES
Fat Cow, Fat Chance: The science and psychology of size
Leicester Road, Markfield, LE67 9RF
By Jenni Murray AT SIXTY-FOUR, Jenni Murray’s weight had become a disability. She avoided the scales, she wore a uniform of baggy black clothes, refused to make connections between her weight and health issues and told herself that she was fat and happy. She was certainly fat. But the happy part was an Oscar-worthy performance. In private she lived with a growing sense of fear and misery that her weight would probably kill her before she made it to seventy. Interwoven with the science, social history and psychology of weight management, Fat Cow, Fat Chance is a refreshingly honest account of what it’s like to be fat when society dictates that skinny is the norm. It asks why we overeat and why, when the weight is finally lost through dieting, do we simply pile the pounds back on again? How do we help young people become comfortable with the way they look? What are the consequences of the obesity epidemic for an already overstretched NHS? And, whilst fat shaming is so often called out, why is it that shouting ‘fat cow’ at a woman in the street hasn’t been included in the list of hate crimes? Fusing politics, science and personal pain, this is a powerful exploration of our battle with obesity.
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I’m ageing like a fine banana.
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THE HERALD • MID-JULY 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
SNIPPETS Fussy eaters IF YOUR child is still a toddler, here is some good news: this is the best time of their lives for you to introduce a variety of foods, and thus expand their food preferences. Recent research has found that picky eaters are unlikely to change if they do not have a varied diet by the age of four. After that, the more parents try to control their children’s diets, the pickier they can become. The research was published in the American Paediatrics Journal. One of the doctors involved said: “Picky eating is common during childhood, and parents often hear that their children will eventually grow out of it. But that’s not always the case.”
Dramatic rise in home exercise injuries during lockdown SOMETHING like 7.2 million Britons injured themselves while trying to stay fit during lockdown. There has been a dramatic rise in exercise-related injuries, ranging from sprains and strains to pulled muscles and back injuries. Of those of us injured during lockdown, 30 per cent of us were doing classes online or via apps, 28 per cent were weight training and 22 per cent were using home gym equipment. A doctor at BUPA points out that although “exercise is enormously important for both our physical and mental health, new regimes and workouts should be taken on with caution.” The British Chiropractic Association (who reported a 660 per cent increase in traffic to its website!) warned that if you do yourself a small injury, do NOT try and ‘run it off ’ or ‘push through the pain barrier’. “There’s no science to say that it works. Instead you are risking more damage and a longer lay-off by not listening to your body.”
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Nationwide celebration of nature during lockdown begins
The RSPB asks Leicestershire residents to share how nature has supported them during lockdown THE RSPB is inviting Leicestershire residents to share how nature has lifted their spirits during lockdown, from nature aficionados to nature novice’s exploring their green spaces for the very first time. During lockdown, more than ever, we’ve seen how important the natural world is to our wellbeing, with 77% of people in England finding that visiting nature has been important for their general health and happiness. BETWEEN 1ST AND 31ST JULY, SHARE YOUR STORY AND PHOTOS USING #MYWORLDNOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA. Between 1st and 31st July, the RSPB is inviting people from Leicestershire and across the UK to share the new things they have noticed that’s different in their world, and what they have started to value more during these unsettling times as part of a nationwide celebration of nature and wildlife Since the UK first went into lockdown it’s been a unique time for most of us. This spring has been unlike any other and, more than ever, we’ve seen how important the natural world is to our health and wellbeing. From enjoying the uplifting sound of birdsong through an open window, to getting a welcome dose of fresh air and exercise in a local park, many of us have found solace in nature and had time to notice what’s going on around us. Adam Murray, Head of Community Empowerment at the RSPB, said: “Connecting with the natural world is more important than ever. Over the last few months, as we juggled work, family life and wellbeing, all from the confines of home, the natural world became a playground, a gym, a tonic, and much more besides. But while our lives have changed, the threats to nature have not gone away. “We’d love you to share the new things you have noticed and started to appreciate more in your world – large and small. Whether it’s cleaner air, the wildlife in your local park or getting creative in your support of the natural world, we’d love to hear about it. We want to know what you’ve started to value during these strange times.”
To get involved, simply share your stories and photos using #MyWorldNow on social media. Share the campaign with friends and family and post about what you’ve been noticing and appreciating in your world to join the conversation this July. A recent study found that 74% of people in England had noticed more nature in their neighbourhoods since the Coronavirus outbreak in the UK than they would normally at this time of year, and so the RSPB can’t wait to see and hear about what you’ve been spotting.
It Started with a Secret By Jill Mansell JILL MANSELL’S irresistible new book is the perfect escape. A beautiful Cornish setting, a chaotic family, a woman who’s had enough of romance - or has she? The trouble with secrets is that you can’t guess what the consequences will be . . . Lainey has lost everything. Luckily one little fib (OK, quite a big fib) helps nail her dream job. Soon she’s living in a stunning house by the sea, fending off obsessed fans for a retired - if far-from-retiring - actor and organising his charming but chaotic family. It’s definitely worth the challenge of keeping her secret. At least Lainey isn’t looking for love. It’s time for a break from all that. And yet . . . Seth, the actor’s grandson, really is rather attractive. There’s growing chemistry and a definite connection between them. But how would he react if he knew she hadn’t been honest with him? Lainey’s not the only one with a secret, though. Seth has one of his own. And everything’s about to start unravelling . . .
When I said my wife was in a mood, I meant a bad one.
Planning Apps LISTED BELOW are some recent planning applications local to our area: Single storey rear extension - at 20 Garendon Way, Groby, Leicester LE6 0YR Single storey rear extension - at 5 Queensmead Close, Groby, Leicester LE6 0YP Proposed residential development for 90 units, new access off Markfield Road, locally equipped children’s play area, cycleway and footpaths and SUDS measures - at land south of Markfield Road, Ratby, Leicestershire. Two storey front extension, single storey rear extension, garage conversion with alterations to roof and boundary wall alterations - at 3 Chambers Close, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9NB. Erection of 4 two storey dwellings with rooms in the roof including access and parking arrangements to be built on land associated with 12/01052/OUT - at land adjacent to Stanton-underBardon Primary School, Main Street, Stanton-underBardon, Leics. Residential development of 110 dwellings with associated infrastructure, vehicular accesses and areas of open space - at Garden Farm, Bagworth Road, Barlestone, Nuneaton CV13 0EG. Agricultural storage building - at land rear of The Homestead, Thornton Lane, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9RP. First floor side extension - at 314 Leicester Road, Field Head, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9RG. Residential development of 49 dwellings with associated infrastructure, access and areas of open space - at land off Beech Drive, Thornton, Leics. Erection of one dwelling - at Church Side, 3 Church Hill, Bagworth, Coalville, Leics. LE67 1DE. Certificate of lawful proposed development for a single storey rear extension - at 49 Bracken Walk, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9WZ
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Eight stolen vehicles recovered in multi-force police operation A Bailey Unicorn ‘Seville’ caravan worth £15,000, was stolen by thieves but recovered on the same day, thanks to the teamwork of stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) expert Tracker, Warwickshire police and VIN CHIP. The stolen caravan, which was safeguarded by Tracker technology, was quickly located by police alongside five other stolen caravans and two valuable trailers. The value of all vehicles successfully recovered is estimated to be in excess of £150,000. PC Craig Purcell, one of the officers in the Warwickshire Rural Crime team responsible for recovering the vehicles, commented: “Tracker alerted us to the stolen caravan, which had been stolen from a secure storage compound in Derbyshire, but was heading into the Warwickshire Police area. Using the information Tracker provided, our officers and Police Dog Unit were able to quickly locate the caravan in Hartshill, North Warwickshire. When I arrived on the scene with my colleagues, we were able to identify seven other stolen vehicles (five caravans and two trailers) by using the VIN CHIP identification system RFID tags within the units that link to the national database of caravan keepers. One of the caravans was literally reported stolen at the time we were examining it. The vehicles had been stolen from across a wide area, including Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Leicestershire and the Thames Valley. A multi-force investigation is ongoing, and suspects have been identified.” Caravans are a popular choice for organised crime groups who often steal to order, to meet demand in the UK and across Europe, selling the caravans for huge profits. Last year Tracker recovered over £1 million worth of stolen caravans and motorhomes. Storing a caravan at a secure site is not always enough to prevent theft, but having a Tracker and VIN CHIP Identification System installed will significantly increase the chance of owners being reunited with their invaluable second home. Clive Wain, Police Liaison for Tracker, commented: “When the caravan was reported stolen, we quickly activated the Tracker unit, which enabled our control room to follow the vehicle remotely whilst keeping the relevant local police forces informed of its location. It is always hugely satisfying to reunite an owner with their stolen vehicle, but this operation was even more rewarding thanks to the other vehicles recovered from
the same site. Without this one caravan having a Tracker installed, the owners of the other caravans and trailers would have probably not seen their vehicles again. “Caravans are extremely lucrative for criminals and can be relatively easy to steal if they are not properly protected. Caravans are more than just a vehicle they are a home away from home and as a result hold enormous sentimental value on top of their financial worth. As such, owners must take extra precautions to protect their caravans from theft, and to increase the likelihood of their safe return if they are stolen. Physical deterrents such as secure storage facilities, hitch locks, wheel clamps, alarm systems and deadbolts will reduce the chance of theft, but only a tracking device and VIN CHIP Identification System will improve the chance of recovery if criminals get past these barriers,” concludes Wain.
Tracker’s Caravan Security Tips • Fit security posts or a substantial gate if parking the caravan on your drive. • Be sure to security mark the caravan. • Mark valuables and interior fitments inside the caravan with your postcode using an etching tool or engraver. • Fit physical deterrents such as hitch locks, wheel clamps and deadlocks on doors to make it difficult for thieves. • Remove all valuables from the caravan. • Do not leave registration documents in the caravan as they can help thieves sell it on. • Always close and lock doors and windows when you leave your caravan, even if it’s just for a short time. • When planning for the next storage season, choose a site with good security rather than just a good price. • Fit a Tracker device to increase the chance of recovery in the event of theft. • Retro fit a unique Identification System to your caravan, if VIN CHIP did not come as standard on your caravan
Who’s right for which job? DOES YOUR company struggle with the problem of properly fitting people to jobs? Here is a handy way to decide…. Take the prospective employees you are trying to place and put them in a room with only a table and two chairs. Leave them alone for two hours, without any instruction. At the end of that time, go back and see what they are doing. • If they have taken the table apart in that time, put them in Engineering. • If they are counting the cracks in the floor, assign them to Finance. • If they are screaming and waving their arms, send them to Manufacturing. • If they are talking to the chairs, Personnel is a good place for them. • If they are sleeping, they are Management material. • If they are writing up the experience, send them to Technical Publications. • If they don’t even look up when you enter the room, assign them to Security. • If they try to tell you it’s not as bad as it looks, send them to Marketing. • And if they’ve left early, put them in Sales.
I just want to be rich enough to threaten to cut people out of my will.
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THE HERALD • MID-JULY 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
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will not be available in the short term but we look to open up more widely over the coming months. I am afraid the library will not be the place to linger and socialise at the moment, but we hope to welcome our many community groups back in September. We very much miss everyone , particularly Amy and the children attending the Before and After School For more information, visit my website at: Club. https://meltsandoilswithshaz.scentsy.co.uk We very much hope that families will use the library during the school FACEBOOK: wax andresearch melts with holidays to keep up reading levels which showsshaz dips in a normal school summer holiday, let alone following the unprecedented situation or TEXT Sharon on: 07940 765303 leading to this one. Help your children to keep reading for pleasure. Read to your children for pleasure.
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ree, valuable and interesting Dementia Friends mation Session is just about asking everyone to and a bit more about dementia and how we might life that bit easier and more pleasant forONE those OF the things I enjoy doing in more ‘normal’ people who live with it. times is browsing antiques
and collectibles shops. Occasionally I come across something unusual or of particular interest. Sometimes I handle an antique and wonder to myself what stories it might tell if it could speak.
Please do be a Dementia Friend. WE ARE calling all the local children to become part of the Silly Squad for the digital Summer Reading Challenge. The annual challenge produced by the Reading Agency and delivered by local libraries is going online this year due to coronavirus. The campaign is backed by children’s authors, presenters and illustrators including Jacqueline Wilson, children’s laureate Cressida Cowell, Rob Biddulph and CBBC’s Sam and Mark. We have all had to deal with serious and scary issues, so this challenge is around comical and crazy children’s books. IT IS FREE TO JOIN. Either go to: sillysquad.org.uk or markfieldcommunitylibrary.co.uk and click on the link
Welcome to Mrs Chorlton FINALLY, we would like to say welcome to our new neighbour, Mrs Chorlton, Headteacher at Mercenfeld Primary School. Mrs Chorlton has already been in touch and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with the school. She will be encouraging and supporting the Summer Reading Challenge.
Margaret Bowler
Chair – Markfield Community Library
Some years ago, I came across what I initially thought was a book. On its front cover was printed the words, “Weapons of Peace”, and I wondered what that could mean. When I investigated further, I discovered that the object wasn’t a book at all, but a box which contained 6 teaspoons! I suppose that the message of the box is that it is far better, when facing a situation of conflict, to do all we can to sit down and talk things through, doing what we are able to resolve the issue. Often, our immediate reaction when we have been hurt is to hit back and get our revenge. Tempting as that may be, it never really solves anything. Perhaps at times our pride holds us back from taking the first steps and saying sorry; it may take some courage to do so. But far better to put away the ‘weapons of war’ and make use of the ‘weapons of peace.’
Steve Clark Minister, Markfield Methodist Church www.markfieldmethodistchurch.otg FB – Markfield Methodist Church
I get a little sad when someone calls me sir because I know I’ll never be knighted.
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New buzzwords we should know HAVE YOU noticed that a series of new words and phrases are increasingly being used in radio and tv interviews recently? To make sure we understand what our politicians, medical experts, sports reporters and spokespersons are on about, we have helpfully listed a few of our favourites below, together with definitions: CONFLATE: to combine two or more separate things, especially pieces of text, to form a whole: She conflated the three plays to produce a fresh new work. MITIGATE: to make something less harmful, unpleasant, or bad: It is unclear how to mitigate the effects of tourism on the island. ALLUDE: to mention someone or something in a brief or indirect way: He alluded to problems with the new computers. OUTLIER: a person, thing, or fact that is very different from other people, things, or facts, so that it cannot be used to draw general conclusions: People who live past 100 are genetic outliers, whose longevity is unreachable for most of us. You may have noticed that many interviewees start their answers with the word ‘So ...’. Why is this? According to an interesting article in The Spectator, ‘so’ could be a tool for covering up that you’re deflecting the interviewer’s question. ‘The word is a marker of cause and result,’ says Dr Penelope Gardner-Chloros, of the department of applied linguistics and communication at Birkbeck College. ‘Someone who starts an answer with “so” is marking that what he’s saying is coherent with what came before — the question. He’s saying what he wants to say, like a politician — but trying to make it sound like it’s an answer to the question.’
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Radio Garden – Explore live radio by rotating the globe
With radiogarden you can easily tune in to stations across the world THE INTERNET has made the virtual world a much smaller place, with easy access to information from almost any country you care to name, and with the radiogarden website you can easily tune in to stations across the world. It wasn’t always so and many readers will remember the days of just a few radio and television channels. Anyone who wanted to listen to broadcasts from overseas in English on the medium and long wave frequencies was limited to stations like the American Forces Network (AFN), the Voice of America, and the very popular Radio Luxembourg. Those who ventured on to short wave radio were rewarded with a whole host of foreign stations broadcasting in English, which gave rise to a new hobby - listeners would mail “reception reports” to radio broadcasting stations in hopes of getting a written acknowledgement (often called a ‘QSL card’) that served to officially verify they had heard a distant station. Collecting these cards became popular with radio listeners who looked forward to receiving mail from even remote countries, and reception reports were often used by broadcasters to gauge the effectiveness of their transmissions. The Shortwave Radio Audio Archive (https://shortwavearchive.com) is a podcast that contains off-air recordings from the shortwaves. These amateur recordings don’t have the quality we now take for granted, but represent the wide variety of stations found on the shortwave, long wave and medium wave radio spectrums. The podcasts include historic events such as a broadcast from Vietnam, relayed by Radio Havana Cuba, announcing the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam war. There’s also Radio Moscow coverage of the end of the 1991 Soviet coup d’état attempt, an attempt made by members of the government of the Soviet Union to take control of the country from Soviet President and General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev.
Radio garden makes it easy Today we can use the internet instead of short wave radio and the arrival of the radiogarden has made it much easier. Radio Garden is a non-profit Dutch radio and digital research project which provides users with a simple graphical interface – a map of the globe. (Just type Radio Garden into Google to find it.) The radio stations are shown on the map as green dots (the seeds). Zooming in displays the available stations for the area of your choice, so if you want Hermitage Radio in Coalville you click on Coalville and away you go. If you have friends or family in Sydney, just scroll the map to Australia, click on Sydney, and you can catch up with one of the 71 stations listed. And if you know someone stationed with our forces in the Falklands you can hear what they can hear on BFBS Falklands, though the next nearest station is in Argentina. If listening isn’t enough you can zoom in and take advantage of the satellite view to take a close look at the town of Stanley. It couldn’t be easier.
Norman Griffiths
There’s no substitute for hard work, except lying on the couch all day.
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THE HERALD • MID-JULY 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Common Steroid Could Be Cheap and Effective Treatment for Severe COVID-19 IN MARCH 2020, the RECOVERY (Randomised Evaluation of COVid-19 thERapY) trial was established as a randomised clinical trial to test a range of potential treatments for COVID-19, including low-dose dexamethasone (a steroid treatment). Over 11,500 patients have been enrolled from over 175 NHS hospitals in the UK. On 8 June, recruitment to the dexamethasone arm was halted since, in the view of the trial Steering Committee, sufficient patients had been enrolled to establish whether or not the drug had a meaningful benefit. A total of 2104 patients were randomised to receive dexamethasone 6 mg once per day (either by mouth or by intravenous injection) for ten days and were compared with 4321 patients randomised to usual care alone. Among the patients who received usual care alone, 28-day mortality was highest in those who required ventilation (41%), intermediate in those patients who required oxygen only (25%), and lowest among those who did not require any respiratory intervention (13%). Dexamethasone reduced deaths by one-third in ventilated patients (rate ratio 0.65 [95% confidence interval 0.48 to 0.88]; p=0.0003) and by one fifth in other patients receiving oxygen only (0.80 [0.67 to 0.96]; p=0.0021). There was no benefit among those patients who did not require respiratory support (1.22 [0.86 to 1.75]; p=0.14). Based on these results, 1 death would be prevented by treatment of around 8 ventilated patients or around 25 patients requiring oxygen alone. Peter Horby, Professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, and one of the Chief Investigators for the trial, said: ‘Dexamethasone is the first drug to be shown to improve survival in COVID-19. This is an extremely welcome result. The survival benefit is clear and large in those patients who are sick enough to require oxygen treatment, so dexamethasone should now become standard of care in these patients. Dexamethasone is inexpensive, on the shelf, and can be used immediately to save lives worldwide.’
Helping hand for Leicestershire’s
CREATIVE BUSINESSES
MORE THAN 100 businesses from across Leicestershire’s art and creative sector have applied for specialist support to develop and grow. Creative Leicestershire, a Leicestershire County Council initiative which offers advice, support, and growth for creative enterprises across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, has come together with partners across the East Midlands for another year to offer WebinArt. Webinart is a one-year professional development programme which connects new and improving creative businesses with industry giants and mentors. It offers help and support in everything from financial and business growth advice, to confidence building and help with covid-19 related concerns. Artist Lucy Stevens who joined WebinArt last year, encourages creative businesses to apply for this year’s funding : “It was great to hear first-hand from other artists that I admire about the realities of running a creative business and to know that I wasn’t alone in the challenges that I’d faced so far. The online resources gave me real motivation to try something new and put the advice into action.” “I’d advise any artist starting out or those that feel a bit lost and lacking focus to take part in WebinArt. It’s a chance to develop your business skills and learn more about how to raise your profile, build a strong brand, grow a sustainable and profitable business and lots more! It’s also a great chance to meet other local artists.” Applications this year already include independent creatives and businesses from a multitude of disciplines such painters, makers, and writers. Though WebinArt would have usually been delivered face to face, in accordance with social distancing, all activity has been moved online. The programme offers bespoke business mentoring, live expert interviews, and engaging live webinars packed with valuable industry know-how. It also facilitates networking opportunities, provides a supportive online community and helps promote the work of their members. The WebinArt team understand the financial pressures that many businesses are facing at this current time so are offering three months of the programme free with the remaining nine months at a cost of £8 per month. Visit www.creativeleics.co.uk/webinart for more information.
I’ve never been in a medically-induced coma, but I have been in several that were meeting-induced.
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All the Latest News from Markfield WI ONCE AGAIN we held our June meeting via Zoom. Our speaker this time was Zoe Higgins who spoke about her trips to India. Zoe is a teacher and her school is linked with a school on the outskirts of Kolkata where children receive education at one of the Derby diocese and CRS (Cathedral Relief Service) schools. The program supports teacher training and free schooling for the poorest pupils and hopes to enable them to progress further in education. Funds raised by Zoe’s school in England were used towards the completion of building work at their sponsored school in India only to have the roof blown off in the recent cyclone, there is now significant flooding in the area and many are without food or shelter. The new school building also has room for women to work and learn while their children are at their lessons. It was obvious from the talk and accompanying slides how much the children at the school enjoyed the visits and how enthusiastic they are about their education. • AT OUR MAY MEETING members were issued with a rainbow challenge. It’s wonderful to see how imaginative people are with one member creating a rainbow flower display and another a colourful plastic line up. Members have also been busy during the lockdown sewing dresses for granddaughters, knitting nurses and dolls and creating a wildlife pond amongst many other things. Although the WI College at Denman is not open they have
been offering a selection of on-line courses. Fran decided to do a course making chocolate brownies and the recipe is included here if anyone else would like to have a go. Our next zoom meeting will be on
15 July at 7.30. Even though we are not able to meet in person we would welcome any past member or prospective new member who would like to join us as a guest. Please contact Fran Johnson on 01530 243350 who will be happy to send you the link. CHOCOLATE BROWNIE (from an online cookery course run by Denman College) INGREDIENTS 200g dark chocolate 175g unsalted butter 325g caster sugar 130g plain flour 3 medium eggs 100g Extra chocolate chips/chunks - optional EQUIPMENT 8 inch square baking tin Baking parchment Microwaveable bowl (or bain marie)
Supporting you in your home We are leaders in the community helping people to live at home indepenently. Our friendly and supportive staff have been providing assistance to our clients for over 25 years our staff have full references, an enhanced DBS and have completed extensive training. At Bosworth Homecare we build and tailor packages of support to meet our client’s individual needs. Our support plans can be any combination of the many services we offer including, medication, personal care, assistance with domestic tasks and shopping. We also support our clients to hospital appointments, social activities and offer a befriending service.
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Small bowl/jug Spoon/spatula METHOD · Preheat oven to 170°C and line an 8 inch square tin with baking parchment. · Place the chocolate and butter into a heat proof bowl and place in a microwave for 1 minute. Stir, then return for a further minute. The mixture should be completely melted. If not, return to the microwave for a further 20 seconds. · You can also melt the chocolate and butter in a bain marie on a hob if you do not have access to a microwave. · Add the sugar and stir until fully incorporated, then add the flour and stir until fully incorporated. · Beat the eggs in a separate bowl/jug and pour into the mixture and stir until fully incorporated. Continue stirring the mixture for 30 seconds once you have reached this point. Finally fold through the extra chocolate chips/chunks if using. · Pour the mixture into the prepared tin. · Bake for 30 minutes and remove from the oven to cool completely. I found they needed a bit longer but tutor said no longer than 10mins more. They are a very gooey consistency. I added raspberries by spreading them on the top of the mixture once it was in the tin. They gave the brownies a bit of tartness to counteract the sweetness. · Brownies should always be slightly undercooked to give a gooey and moist texture.
Applications for primary school places now open PARENTS with children due to start at primary schools in Leicestershire in September 2021 can now apply for places at their preferred schools. Parents then have until Friday, 15 January 2021 to submit their applications. There is no automatic entry system for any school in the county, so parents should also ensure they exercise their right to apply for three school preferences and are aware of the closing date. Late applications have the lowest priority being processed after those made on time. More information about schools in Leicestershire and the application process can be found on the Leicestershire County Council school admissions page.
I ordered a chicken and an egg from Amazon. I’ll let you know.
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THE HERALD • MID-JULY 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Markfield Medical Centre & PPG News AS RESTRICTIONS are slowly being eased, it is still important to remember that the 2 metre rule is the best way to protect against the spread of the virus and to keep the R rate below 1. Wearing a face covering is not as effective as keeping a 2 metre distance between you and another person, although it is now being advised when travelling on Public Transport. It is still important to wash hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds and to keep your hands away from your face. While the government has announced some relaxation in lockdown, each step is conditional and reversible, and they are still asking people to LIMIT SOCIAL CONTACT and ACT RESPONSIBLY. It is important to remember that the virus has not changed and you remain vulnerable. The key message is still the same: • THINK HANDS Wash your hands regularly and use alcohol gel if no water is available • THINK FACE Avoid touching your face and wear face-coverings in enclosed spaces • THINK SPACE Keep a 2 metre social distance It is important that you do not ignore symptoms that may need medical attention. Arrangements at the surgery remain as outlined in the June issue of the Herald. Patients are still being asked to telephone the practice and not to come to the surgery - every patient has to be triaged first.
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GPs continue with telephone triage and video consultations. Should a face to face consultation be necessary, this will be arranged by a GP. All face to face bookings made are asked screening questions for Covid 19 and are advised to attend the surgery wearing a face covering or mask. The ‘Engage Consult’ online consultation service is also available to ask for help about a nonemergency medical problem or for general advice from your doctor or other members of your Practice team. Receptions staff is ensuring that all surfaces are wiped frequently and rooms are kept clutter free. Patients who need general information about Coronavirus are being signposted to the following • www.gov.uk/coronavirus • NHS.uk website • Practice website Similarly, for all general nonurgent queries and requests, patients should wherever possible use either ‘Engage Consult’ or they can e-mail markfieldmedicalpractice. no.reply@nhs.net . Members of the PPG recently ‘attended’ an online forum run by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). Discussion included the way that Primary Care services have changed in recent months as a result of coping with the Covid 19 pandemic. The CCG have analysed the results of an online survey which asked for patients’ views as to what has worked well, what needs improving and what
can be learnt from recent changes. Telephone and online consultations were seen as a positive with face to face consultations if needed. People were keen to have more information about cancelled appointments and therapies and how to access non-routine services such as tests, scans and reviews. It was felt that carers need support during this crisis. Concern was expressed for those people who have no online access and also those who live a long way from the surgery and rely on public transport which has a limited service at present. The CCG is looking into ways to get more opinions from patients including those without online access. They would welcome anyone who is interested to help with this by visiting http:// www.healthcareviewsllr.co.uk Please remember – as you are all aware, this disease has killed people We have no cure, we have no vaccine Everyone has a role to play in getting through this THINK HANDS / THINK FACE / THINK SPACE AND STAY SAFE
SNIPPETS Markfield Methodist Church Recitals SADLY, we have decided that we must cancel the planned recital on Friday 4 September because of the uncertainties surrounding Covid-19. However, we are delighted to announce that this event has been re-scheduled for next year. Here are the events planned to date. Each begins at 7.00pm.
• Friday 27 November 2020 Renata Konyicska (piano) from Hungary • Friday 5 March 2021 Domonkos Csabay (piano) from Hungary • Friday 7 May 2021 Alistair Parnell (saxophone) from Nottingham • Friday 10 September 2021 John Parson (cello) and Beate Toyka (piano) from Derbyshire What is it about Markfield and attracting fantastic Hungarian pianists? Renata’s visit on 27th November will be her fourth, so we are used to her amazing abilities and artistry. Domonkos Csabay looks like following in Renata’s shoes. He has made his BBC Radio 3 debut playing Beethoven and is due to release his first CD on Naxos. In May we look forward to Alistair Parnell’s return with his incredibly engaging programme, and in September we will welcome the wonderful cello and piano duo from Derbyshire – John Parsons and Beate Troyka. Tickets will be available nearer to each date when further information can be found on our website: www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org Facebook - Markfield Methodist Church
I’m at that age where I can only dread one or maybe two things a month.
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Borough Councillor Andy Furlong’s UPDATE Tel: 01530 231377 • Email: andy.furlong@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk I WRITE these words on a rainy Monday morning in Thornton after popping out to pay my last respects to Jeff Chantrell, who died last month at the age of 92. His funeral cortege has just passed down Main Street, and many of Jeff ’s friends and neighbours lined the pavement to bid him farewell.
were reported in Market Harborough, Kibworth and elsewhere, including Measham where a man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
City back in lockdown IN STARK contrast, things were somewhat quieter in the city, which had returned to lockdown earlier in the week because of a spike in COVID19 cases. The exact cause of the peak is still to be confirmed. According to a report from Public Health England’s Rapid Investigation Team, likely reasons include deprivation, overcrowding and limited social distancing in some parts of the city. Communication around the new lockdown was slow and confused.
this is what I will always do. Nonetheless, I am shocked that previous council leaderships have allowed the borough’s local plan and five-year housing land supply arrangements to lapse. This situation has left every community in the rural parts of the district extremely vulnerable to greedy developers. For the record, I have recently voted against unwanted development in Barlestone, Burgage, Desford, Ratby and Stoke Golding. I listen to local people, and I am not afraid to put my hand up on their behalf where I believe that it is the right thing to do.
Shooting at Lodge Farm
Jeff, (pictured above) who lived on Highfields, served as the Labour councillor for Bagworth and Thornton for 17 years from 1974 to 1991. He was Mayor of Hinckley & Bosworth twice, from 1977 to 1978 and again from 1987 to 1988. I first met Jeff when I moved to the area over thirty years ago. He was a decent man who both cared for and understood the community he represented. He introduced me to several people in the village and it was clear from the outset that he was well-regarded. I have sent my condolences to Jeff ’s family through his son Rob who now lives in Sileby. RIP Jeff Chantrell
Jo has the flower power IN HAPPIER news, I can confirm that the titanic battle between ‘Dawn’ and ‘Jo’ is hotting up. Both sunflowers have been fed, watered, and re-potted. Jo is still in leading the race, measuring in at 80cm; with Dawn a strong second around 10cm behind. It’s not over ‘til it’s over and I’ll be keeping readers updated as the summer progresses. Meanwhile, my thanks go out to the real Dawn and Jo and all the volunteers involved with the Markfield Good Neighbour Scheme for their continuing work to support the community as the COVID-19 outbreak progresses.
Common sense is not so common! THE GOVERNMENT response to Coronavirus continues to deliver optimism and exasperation in equal measure. My late father was fond of the expression, “Common sense isn’t so common”, I carry these words with me and it’s clear that in a time of crisis, it’s dangerous to rely on common sense. Guidance is all well and good, but people also need clear rules to stay safe and save lives. The reopening of the pubs on Saturday 4 July brought this into sharp focus. The emergency services were called to one of Markfield’s pubs following a late night brawl. Sadly this was repeated around the county. A senior police officer described Leicestershire to me as “very drunk!” Large numbers of police were on duty – far more than on New Years’ Eve, which is usually the busiest day of the year. Disturbances
The new legislation did not appear until Friday 3 July, and it contained no additional powers for the police who were already preparing for a lively weekend ahead of the pubs opening. Nonetheless, we should all be thankful to the Leicestershire Police and the British Transport Police, who with the support of Special Constables and PCSOs are keeping most of us safe at this incredibly challenging time in the city and the county.
Better safe than sorry FOR THE record, I’m following my old dad’s advice, and sticking with ‘common sense’. I usually do my main weekly shopping at Fosse Park. However, the supermarket is inside the protected area on the other side of the red line on the map. So, for the time being, I’ll just have to do my shopping a little closer to home. This will be good news for the Co-op in Markfield! Furthermore, even though I enjoy a pint, I think I’ll steer clear of the pubs for now. I know that many local establishments are working hard to implement social distancing rules. Still, given that the disease has already claimed 44,000 lives in the UK and the disease is far from beaten, it’s a case of better safe than sorry for me. Most of my family, friends and neighbours are doing the same.
Housing threat MATTHEW LAY has written elsewhere in this month’s Herald about the new house building challenge facing our villages. Back in May 2019, Matthew asked me to join the Borough Council’s Housing Committee; a request that I was pleased to take up. The only drawback is that I am prevented by law from expressing a view on a planning application before it comes to the committee. I am required to strike a balance between economic need, environmental protection, and the views of local people. Readers can rest assured that
FINALLY, a quick word on the clay pigeon shooting activity that has started at Lodge Farm between Markfield and Thornton. Two planning applications for a formal business development at this site have already been withdrawn following strong objections from residents. The operator is allowed to shoot for up to 28 days a year without planning permission. This does not mean that they can ruin your peace and quiet. Nor can they ignore the health and safety of other countryside users, particularly horse riders. I have asked for a full noise monitoring exercise and clear proof that all safety, health, and environmental legislation is being adhered to. Until I am satisfied that this is the case, I take the view that shooting should stop. Stay safe
Andy Furlong Contact me on 01530 231377 or via andy.furlong@hinckleybosworth.gov.uk
A sports bra implies the existence of an academic bra.
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THE HERALD • MID-JULY 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
What’s Been Happening at Markfield Community and Sports Centre Flash flood IT HAS certainly been an interesting and busy month since the last edition of the Herald. The weather has certainly been challenging with days of extreme heat followed by severe storms bringing with it thunder and lightning and flooding. On a couple of occasions we experienced torrents of rain water gushing down Mayflower Close towards Chitterman Way. We were forced to bail out the entrance to the Centre, make sure all equipment was stored at a high level and secure the flood barrier to its highest level. That’s Mother Nature for you – always keeping us on our toes.
Safe re-opening WE HAVE been wading (excuse the pun) through all the Government relaxation and reopening guidelines to ensure that the Community Centre was ready to partially and safely reopen on the 4th July. The Government’s Guidance covered two areas where we need to make our facilities COVID-19 secure including a phased return of outdoor sport and recreation facilities as well as the reopening of Community Centres. The guidelines are extensive requiring us to spend hours upon hours in completing a COVID-19 secure risk assessment for both our indoor and outdoor facilities. By the time we had finished, the risk assessment was 19 pages long. We then set about the mammoth task of putting in measures to mitigate risks identified in the risk assessment. The overall aim being, as far as possible, to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to our staff, users and the public. This was no mean feat and involved a tremendous amount of work to meet the Government Guidelines. Failure to do so could result in Enforcement and even closure. At this moment in time, Government Guidelines restrict the Community Centre from indoor activities involving sport and exercise. The Guidelines also have many restrictions including the number of persons attending activities and maintaining safe distancing and hygiene rules. We have now opened the Multi Use Games Area and it is available for bookings providing that that the guidelines are adhered to. Unfortunately we cannot accept any indoor or outdoor bookings for events or activities where we cannot fully control their use or numbers attending such as parties, bar functions, community events or even meetings. To ensure that the Centre remains COVID-19 secure we cannot, for the time being, allow the general public to enter or use facilities at the Community Centre and ask that the car park is only used by approved Centre users. Things will change and if we ALL stay alert and do not become complacent the quicker things will go back to “normal”. Please be patient. All this has come at a cost to the Community Centre. We have lost over three months of income yet, at the same time we, like you all, have still had to pay the bills. All the equipment needed to make the Centre COVID-19 secure has come as an additional but necessary cost. We are extremely grateful for grants received from the Leicestershire County Council Community Fund, a grant from Western Water and I must mention
a financial donation from a kind anonymous person. I must also mention a villager who made us a large quantity of sign post bases from recycled wood that saved us a considerable amount of money. A BIG thank you to you all.
Mayflower Club AS I WRITE this article we should hopefully have restarted the Mayflower Clubs. I know that many of our members have missed the company it provides and I must say that we have missed seeing them too. Things will be different for a while and I dare say it will be difficult playing dominoes and cards across a wide table to ensure 2 metres social distancing. Many thanks go to Carole Kemp for keeping in touch with members - it is much appreciated by all. By the way Carole’s recent BIG birthday was made even more special as LIVERPOOL won the Premier League Title - it made her day.
Markfield Good Neighbours Scheme DESPITE some relaxing of the lock down rules our Markfield Good Neighbours Scheme volunteers have continued providing many acts of kindness in the village as follows: After over a month of volunteers supporting the opening of the Post Office through all kinds of weather it finally came to an end on the 10th June when the Post Office was fully reopened. The volunteers gave a total of 84 hours of their own unpaid time in all kinds of weather to support the village in keeping this vital service open. The Management of the Post Office showed their appreciation by giving the volunteers a gift of boxes of cup cakes and chocolates. The Rural Community Council’s Community Support Coffee Van had regularly attended the location giving out free refreshments to volunteers, villagers as well as staff at the Medical Centre and Chemists. This was an added bonus for us all and to show our appreciation we gave staff a gift of flowers and chocolates. In the mean time our volunteers have continued to do sterling work collecting prescriptions, doing shopping, keeping in touch with lonely isolated or vulnerable people.
Seize the day? That sounds like a lot of work. How about we seize a bottle of wine instead?
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Words and pictures from Ron & Dawn Grantham Tel: 01530 242240 • www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com It is really heartwarming to know that there is true community spirit in the village that has stepped up to the mark during these difficult times of crisis. A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED NO MATTER HOW BIG OR HOW SMALL. Every offer of kindness is so much appreciated. Please remember that if you would like to join our band of volunteers or need some help please contact us at markfieldcommunitycentre@ hotmail.co.uk or ring us on 07885 243033.
The Covid-19 Rock Snake grows and grows THE LAST time I wrote my article in June ADDER the rock snake around the Community Park had only just started with 148 painted rocks.
The scheme has also been involved in supporting referrals from other authorities, helping people emerging from shielding with going back outdoors, Police alerts and distributing family fun packs. Apart from our volunteers there have been so many other acts of kindness by villagers donating scrub making materials, hand cream, food, looking out for each other and so much more. I must mention the Fusion Indian Restaurant who have kindly been donating “takeaways” to families and people in need.
How it has grown and grown. On my last check it had grown to 931 rocks with painted designs of all varieties, shapes and colours. People especially the children have really enjoyed contributing to ADDER as well as coming along and counting them. Will ADDER reach 1,000 rocks? I am sure it will and very soon. We are currently talking to the Parish Council as to what to do with them all. Many people have suggested that we create an everlasting memorial from them.
Ron and Dawn Grantham
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Yesterday I was washing the car with my son. He goes ‘Dad, why can’t you just use a sponge?’
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